Chiggers, Redbugs, Itch Mites, Oh My!

Chiggers are pesky creatures. Learn more about chiggers, chigger bites, treatments, and prevention.

Magnification of an adult chigger mite. | Source

With summer just around the corner, it is time to prepare for chigger bites, treatments, and prevention. These tips will protect you from spring until fall, the most active times for chiggers.

Chiggers are pesky creatures. Along with the dreaded mosquito, they are the bane of summer. Their bites can be worse than the heat, humidity, and even sunburn.

While chiggers are sometimes called redbugs or berry bugs, they are not actually red bugs. In fact, they are not bugs at all. Chiggers are the larval form of a family of mites called Trombiculidae. They are also known as harvest mites and scrub-itch mites. Chiggers are eight-legged arachnids like spiders and scorpions, and they are closely related to ticks.

Chiggers are so small, they are nearly invisible to the naked eye. When several of them cluster together on the skin, they look like a bright red bump. Their presence starts out as tiny red skin bumps, followed by days of intense itching. This leads to hard red welts that can irritate the skin for days to come.

Diagram of a chiggers-formed stylostome. | Source

Chigger Bites and Itches

Chigger myths abound. One claims that chiggers burrow into the skin and die, leaving behind a persistent itch. The myth is rooted in America's southern states where jigger fleas, chigoes, and other pests do attack beneath the skin.

Chiggers are somewhat like fleas in that they bite rather than burrow into the skin. However, they do not drink blood. Instead, they attach their tiny specialized mouth parts to the skin and inject saliva into their victim.

The saliva deteriorates the skin cells around the bite, and chiggers ingest this liquefied tissue for food. It is this process, not the bite itself, that causes the annoying itch.

Chiggers quietly attack their victims. Within a few hours of feeding, human skin reacts by hardening the cells along the saliva path. This forms a hard tube-like structure called a stylostome.

As they ward off corrosive saliva, stylostomes serve as feeding tubes or straws for chiggers. Repeated saliva injections and feeding cause the familiar red welt and intense itching associated with chigger bites.

Because their mouth parts are short and delicate, chiggers usually attach themselves to thin or wrinkled areas of skin. Most bites occur on the ankle, crotch, waist, armpits, or behind the knees.

Chiggers tend to congregate in grassy patches and shady areas where the temperature is mild. To keep bites to a minimum, treat infested areas and wear protective clothing. Here are more effective ways to guard against chigger bites.

Be sure to wash your clothes as soon as you are back home. This will get rid of any chiggers that are still hanging on your clothes.

2. Mosquito Repellent. Mosquito spray also repels chiggers. For the most effective treatment, apply the spray to your exposed skin and to the edge of your clothes such as your sleeve cuffs, waistbands, and boot tops.

Chiggers will have to cross the treated line to get under your clothes. Reapply repellents frequently, as they lose potency after a few hours.

3. Lawn Maintenance. Plan your backyard activities away from chigger habitats. Lawn maintenance will control the chigger population in your own backyard.

Mow the grass, remove the weeds, and clear the brush to prepare for outdoor events. Chiggers are less likely to be found in a clean, well-groomed yard.

4. Warm Soapy Water. Soap and water will usually remove chiggers from your body and kill them. Take a warm, soapy bath before your skin starts to itch. This will remove chiggers roaming on your skin, as well as those that are already attached and feeding.

5. Light Towel Rubbing. If you are outdoors, in the woods, or away from home, a light towel rubbing will effectively remove chiggers. Rubbing your body and clothes with a dry towel will remove the pests before they can do much damage.

6. Household Products. Avoid them. It is not necessary to treat chiggers with products like alcohol, ammonia, gasoline, kerosene, turpentine, or salt. In fact, household products are often dangerous treatments. Warm, soapy water will do the trick.

7. Itch and Pain Relief. Hydrocortisone creams can relieve the suffering caused by chigger bites. Calamine lotion and baking soda pastes are effective topical treatments. Some people turn to antihistamines and allergy medications.

8. Scratching the Itch. It is hard to resist scratching an itch, but try to avoid it. Deep or constant scratching can further irritate the skin. It may even cause secondary infections that are worse than the chigger bites. If you must scratch a bite, disinfect your skin with a topical antiseptic like hydrogen peroxide or alcohol.

A Song About Chiggers

A Poem About Chiggers

H. B. Hungerford penned this lymerick on or around 1920. Hungerford worked as an entomologist for the University of Kansas Department of Entomology.

Magnified image of a chigger. | Source

The thing called a chigger

is really no bigger

than the small end of a pin.

But the bump that it raises

just itches like blazes

and that's where the rub sets in.

Your Turn

How do you prevent chigger bites? Leave a comment below and join the conversation. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with your social networks.

Comments 7 comments

I remember getting chigger bites when I was a child. Oh, it is torment. Nowadays, if we get bitten, soap and water scrubbing as you suggested works. And tea tree oil soothes the skin also. Thanks for an unusual and informative Hub.

Annette R. Smith 5 years ago from Orlando, Florida Author

You're welcome, Hyphenbird. And thank you for the tea tree oil tip, too.

Annette R. Smith 4 years ago from Orlando, Florida Author

With summer just around the corner, it's that time again -- time to prepare for those itchy chigger bites!

Rosie writes 4 years ago from Virginia

My husband and I both have chigger bites all over our legs and I think it is from chairs we sat in that had leaves on them. They are soooo annoying. I read somewhere that vinegar helps to relieve the itch too. Your hub was very informative and explained a lot, but do the chiggers actually stay in your skin for a long period of time? Gross!

Annette R. Smith 4 years ago from Orlando, Florida Author

Hi, Rosie. Thank you for stopping by! Chiggers don't burrow into the skin, but their bites can drive you crazy! For some reason, I tolerate chiggers (we call them redbugs) and mosquitoes better than my husband. He has to use repellent outdoors or the bugs will eat him up!

Tenthplanet 4 years ago

In an addition to these treatment options and preventative measures aforementioned above, chemical treatments might be necessary to eliminate you chigger problem. For a more comprehensive look as to which mites you could have and which treatment is best, look at the guide I'm posting: http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/mites-c-501.html

Annette R. Smith 4 years ago from Orlando, Florida Author

Hello, Tenthplanet. Thank you for reading "Chiggers, Redbugs, Itch Mites, Oh My!" I appreciate the additional information, and your pest control tips are sure to help many readers.